“Not with my own horse, sir. He’s getting old, and deserves better.”
“Then it’s all right, señor. You will take any horse you want. I have telegraphed to stop the execution, but there’s been no reply. You must therefore see General Escobedo yourself. Look on my desk. Do you find a packet there?”
“Yes.”
“Sealed? Well, break it open. Now read the contents to my visitor here.”
Driscoll unfolded a long sheet of foolscap, and began to read. Murguía the while fidgeted in an agony, but listening further, his limbs grew tense, and a hideous joy overspread his face.
“‘But at sunrise of the nineteenth you will execute the sentence already approved.’”
The prisoners were not to be deceived by false hopes. There would be no further appeal. The last, the final decision, had been made.
458“I have signed it, I believe, Colonel Driscoll?”
“Yes.”
“Then seal it again, and hurry! Good-bye, sir, good-bye.”